This is an etching of a bust-length portrait showing a man from just below his shoulders upwards. The man is turned at a three-quarter angle, facing to the viewer's left. He has a beard that is full yet neatly groomed, with mustaches that blend into the beard. His hair is closely cropped and receding slightly on top. The man's nose is prominent. He has a thoughtful expression, with eyes appearing to look toward the horizon. He is clothed in what appears to be a formal garment, possibly a coat with a high collar, with visible buttons along the front. The etching is rendered using finely sketched lines that give texture to the clothing and facial features. The background is plain, with no distinct features, focusing all attention on the depicted figure. There are no visible objects or jewelry worn by the man.
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This is an etching of a bust-length portrait showing a man from just below his shoulders upwards. The man is turned at a three-quarter angle, facing to the viewer's left. He has a beard that is full yet neatly groomed, with mustaches that blend into the beard. His hair is closely cropped and receding slightly on top. The man's nose is prominent. He has a thoughtful expression, with eyes appearing to look toward the horizon. He is clothed in what appears to be a formal garment, possibly a coat with a high collar, with visible buttons along the front. The etching is rendered using finely sketched lines that give texture to the clothing and facial features. The background is plain, with no distinct features, focusing all attention on the depicted figure. There are no visible objects or jewelry worn by the man.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Alphonse Karr

Marcellin-Gilbert Desboutin

Date
c. 1875
Medium
etching and drypoint on wove paper
Dimensions
plate: 11.6 x 8 cm (4 9/16 x 3 1/8 in.) sheet: 28.5 x 19.8 cm (11 1/4 x 7 13/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2003.118.15
Credit line
Gift of Frank Anderson Trapp
Time span
1801 to 1825
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • etching
  • drypoint
  • Male figure
  • Portrait
  • Face
Provenance

Frank Anderson Trapp [1922-2005], Amherst, MA; gift to NGA, 2003.

Inscription

lower right in plate: MD; lower center in plate: Imp. Vve Cadart, Paris; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: Marcellin Desboutin Alphonse Karr, Drypoint, Proof before lettering

NGA object ID 111471. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.